Handpicked Holiday Cheer

We Choose a Mixed Case
At a Total Cost of $150;
Packing an Austrian Hit

By

Dorothy J. Gaiter and

John Brecher

Updated Dec. 15, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

This is it: You're down to the wire. You've procrastinated too long and now you simply must come up with a good idea for a last-minute present. Relax. A thoughtfully chosen mixed case of wine is always a good gift, whether the recipient is a long-time wine adventurer or someone who usually only drinks White Zinfandel.

A few weeks ago, a couple who are close friends of ours moved into a new apartment. As a house-warming gift, we chose a mixed case. For us, of course, the pressure is really intense in such circumstances,...